Is this the death of Masterchef?

[TitsInAbsentia]

Gregg Wallace steps away from MasterChef after allegations by Kirsty Wark www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/nov/28/gregg-wallace-steps-away-from-masterchef-after-allegations-of-misconduct

Oh Greggles what have you done!

Perhaps one dilemma was that once it was out that he said a racist word there were always going to be questions and discomfort especially for contestants of colour. But Torode's response was also weird. He said he apologised immediately and the person took no offence. Then immediately he says he doesn't recall the incident. So did he apologise at the time of the incident or during the inquiry? Or is he covering himself?

Also myself as a black African it's not a good look to say you don't remember a racist incident. Of course as the perpetrator you don't remember. You didn't get hurt so you moved on while the person it was directed at did get hurt one way or another so they remember. This is not to say John said it or that I know what he said. But if I was his PR or lawyer I would have asked him to edit that statement to make things clearer or not to say you apologised for it then say you don't remember.
Ultimately he wasn't sacked. He did not have a lifetime contract and they just didn't renew it. Likely to try and draw a line under this. However bigger heads should roll. Bbc has had too many of these sexual harassment issues being buried until they are outed and it turns out it had gone on for years. Tim shouldn't hide. He should resign as he as shown repeatedly that he is unable to run an organisation that is safe for women to work at.

John Torode actually said that the person making the allegation about him said that John apologised immediately afterwards. John didn’t say that! He said in both posts that he doesn’t remember the incident.

i agree that the Beeb should be taking any racist comments very seriously, AND that they should have sacked Wallace years ago. They have been crap at dealing with all these allegations about various presenters. Time for Davie to go.

No what he said was that he doesn’t remember the incident, but the ALLEGATION included that he said the word, immediately apologised and the person who heard it didn’t think he had malicious intent. He’s relaying what he’s been told the allegation is.

If that’s true, and despite issuing a statement, the bbc haven’t challenged these “facts”, it sounds utterly ridiculous that he’s lost his job over it. It’s sounding more and more like they wanted rid and rustled up something to do it. Which is incredibly wrong if true. You shouldn’t use important issues like racism to get rid of people by coming up with trumped up charges. It completely undermines the cause.

It would be interesting to know the full story and how this has come out. The accusation sounds really vague - at some point in 2018/19 I heard JT say a racist word at a social event (presumably they can’t remember such one as they can’t remember even the year) for which he immediately apologised and he had no malicious intent. Why would you even report this to anyone? It all sounds very weird.

The thing is who in their right mind would use that word these days anyway? Even singing along, you just wouldn't. You'd just zoom past that bit. Hes an idiot for doing this in public.

Thanks for the clarification about the incident.

Agreed with everything you said. Its BBC covering their backsides. Yet again, women have been treated horribly and BBC has covered it until its too public and too big to ignore then they go on a slash and burn. GW should have been fired ages ago given the magnitude and history of his harassments. GW, RB, JS, Westwood. They just dont learn. They dont care enough about women

On the news today, there were 9 allegations about Torode - sexual language, abusive language to junior staff, and two uses of the N word. Ffs. So it was right he went too.

I’d go for Si King and Sally Abe.

Yea don't get me wrong I love Andi on gbm but a, she should stay with that one, b, I don't think whoever presents should present 2 big food shows and c, I think they should get someone different in than the usual staple. Unless of course they get Si in. Id have him in a heartbeat

It’s just been announced that they will air the last series with them in it. I think they said early August. I’ll be watching.

So pleased for the contestants…and viewers … definitely the right decision!!

It said on the news that JT and GGGGGW would still be in it but it would be edited to make it more about the contestants. Was it not about the contestants, and their cooking, in the first place

Gregg: 'These arancini have gone all lukewarm and soggy. They remind of this time when I fell asleep in a hotel hot tub and my ..... (Picture quickly cuts to a contestant tweezering some bee pollen onto a pannacotta) ..... and Carlos from room service said he'd never been asked for an ice bucket for that reason before.'

Aaand esma is back!!!

I heave just read that that series will start on August 6th.

I wonder will they be cancelling the celeb one that John did with grace

Shouldn’t laugh but… 😂😂😂

And so sorry to read about Mammy Potter @PotterHead1985💐

Fingers crossed for the 6th August.

I've just read they've confirmed Matt Tebbut. No confirmation on Andi as yet but we can almost presume I'd say

I hadn't heard of Matt Tebutt so looked him up. Seems a nice chap.
Delighted about Andi Oliver. I think she's great. I hope she keeps GB menu too.

I was worried you meant Andi Peters and was worried id not be able to watch again.

I'm glad they're going to edit the next series to concentrate more on the contestants - it'll be a massive improvement. It would be great to think they are going to continue that way.

Agreed.

Someone tag me when the threads created please 🙏

😂😂😂

I've just clocked that they’re showing the next series after all with both Gregggg Wallace AND John Torode. Starts next Wednesday, the 6th.

Anyone fancy starting a thread? 😬

I will be watching and I think maybe a new thread away from this one. Could we gather up all the names between us ?

I’ll be watching. I’m ready for a Chuffians reunion whatever the format of the show ends up as.